Wine for 1 (a sip): Department store toasts law change allowing sale by the mouthfulCouncil bans 25ml measures in 2007Sommelier wins campaign for law to be overturned Sips start from 1

If you fancy a quick tipple, then a trip to Selfridges might satisfy your yearning.

For the department store has just started selling sips of world's most sought-after wines for as little as 1 a time.

Thanks to the endeavors of London sommelier, Dawn Davies the retailer is once again allowed to provide thimblefuls of alcohol, after a five year ban.

Shoppers will be able to indulge in sips of some of the world's most prized wines for as little as 1 thanks to sommelier, Dawn Davies (pictured)

For years Ms Davies had served up sip measures at the store's ground floor Wonder Bar – a fifth of a normal 'small' wine glass – but inspectors told her she was in breach of the 1988 Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order and she was forced to stop.

This law specified that wine could only be sold in 125ml, 175ml and 250ml glasses.

Since 2007 she campaigned to have the legislation overturned and the Government's National Measurement Office has now revealed her lobbying efforts have been successful.

Commenting on her victory Ms Davies, told the Evening Standard: 'When I saw we had won I screamed, I was dancing around the office.

'It is the first time the Government has done anything positive for the drinks industry in a very long time.'

The Wonder Bar's new legal 'sips list', which starts from 1, includes the prized Chablis 1er Cru, Vaillons, Domaine Christian Moreau Pre et Fils at 1.75; and a Rserve de Comtesse from Pauillac at 2.75.

More expensive vintages are expected to be added over the coming weeks.

The original menu had offered 52 wines, dispensed from a vending machine in 25ml shot glasses.

Instead of customers spending 950 for a bottle of Petrus 1996 – considered widely as one of the best red wines ever made – they could indulge in a sip for 32.

Fighting for her cause, Ms Davies organised petitions, wrote letters to Lacors – the body in charge of local government regulation – and persuaded drinks industry trade groups to get on board.

Recalling how she was banned from serving sips, she added: 'I couldn't believe it when these inspectors from Westminster council came in to see us. I was shocked.

'It had never even occurred to me you could not sell 25ml of wine. I couldn't fault the inspectors – they were only upholding the law – but it was a mad, archaic law.'

The amendment is set out in the Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities) (Unwrapped Bread and Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2011.

The changes mean wine can effectively be sold in any measure below 75ml.